The concept of “Mi-infinity” derives from the versatility of modular construction as the prefabricated modules could be applied in different kinds of projects. Ir Thomas HO On-sing, Chairman of the CIC, visited Ming Tai Construction Engineering Co Ltd (Ming Tai) and the Wan Chai Recycling Station previously, where both projects showcased the advantages of adopting Building Information Modelling in planning prefabricated components to uplift quality. Ir Ho was pleased to see that our practitioners are applying industrialisation and putting the concept of “Design for Safety” into real practices as means to reduce onsite works and protect frontline workers.
Thinking Out of the Box to Achieve Efficiency and Sustainability
Timber formwork is the most common type of formwork applied in conventional construction projects, however high skilled labour is required and there are also wastage problems. In order to tackle the challenges, the construction industry has actively pursued the usage of metal formworks such as system and aluminium formworks to save labour cost, ensure workers’ safety and raise productivity. In face of labour shortages, Ming Tai has established a Design Department 10 years ago with an aim to standardise system formwork’s design and to alleviate the impact of high-skilled labour shortages with the help of mechanical manufacturing, said their Managing Director Joseph WANG.
Inserting QR code on Formworks for Instant Information Retrieval
Ming Tai’s Design Department is divided into 3 teams, namely Mechanics, Formworks and Mainland, according to Mr. YAN Kwok-keung, General Manager of H.S. Design Service Company Limited, besides designing system formworks, Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) are also employed to improve managing and construction qualities. For instance, formwork design guidelines are formulated for designers to follow standard procedures. Formwork automation design software is also used to identify formwork layout, stating their types and sizes. The construction sites are often in fickle conditions where it's common to see formworks damaged or lost. To reduce error, the software will also insert a QR code on different formworks so that they can be traced once installed, if there’s any damage, workers could instantly reorder it.
Adopting Tableform to raise productivity
Safety is essential to construction, Mr WANG explained that compared to conventional method, adopting Ming Tai Tableform could significantly reduce working on height procedures by 90% as workers would complete their works on ground before lifting up the tableform. In addition, the tableforms are movable and the stands could be extended to 1.8m, which makes it agile and nimble. Moreover, as the formworks are reusable, workers could thus save their time and efforts. “When there’s a change over floor height, workers need not dismantle the formworks, all they need to do is simply remove a stand.”
CIC has proactively promote the application of DfMA and MiC in recent years, and the standardised and industrialised system formwork is exactly a way to uplift productivity, Ir Ho appreciated Ming Tai for taking the lead in designing “Mi Formwork”, “This one-stop service starts from design, while tableforms are all manufactured in factories, with models created in digital twin to guarantee a complete success.” Ir Ho said.
Adopting DfMA and MiC for a More Time and Cost-efficient and Environmental Friendly Recycling Station
A reform in engineered formwork system proves that the industry is moving forward to innovation, similarly, this attitude is also reflected in the construction of community facilities. As green living culture has been instilled in public’s lives, the government thus strengthened the support for building a new community recycling network by developing Recycling Stations, with the aim to encourage the public to go green. With a unique architectural feature, GREEN@WAN CHAI is one of those that comprises the network. Its streamlined shape trellis roof provides an iconic enclosure, shielding the electronic and mechanic installations below and reducing solar heats, creating both aesthetic value and functionality.
Crowned as the winner of the first prize in the professional group at the Design Idea Competition for Wan Chai Community Green Station, Ar Paul MUI and Ar Benny LEE, both Director and Co-Founder of BREADstudio Limited are invited to collaborate with the Architectural Services Department to implement the design. They pointed out that, the construction of the trellis roof has adopted DfMA and the concept of “Modular Integrated Construction” (MiC), they first uses BIM to measure and calculate the modules of the trellis before they are prefabricated offsite at factory in the mainland. Seemingly with a double curvature form, the trellis is in fact composed by vertical modules only. The team even think outside the box by replacing timber with glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) for higher durability. They also casted all modules in repetitive moulds, only 4 moulds are needed in the construction of the whole trellis roof, reducing construction wastage and saving cost.
Proactively Promoting Industry Digitalisation Becomes Key to Create Joint Success
Ar Paul MUI says that their company has driven itself to apply BIM in all construction projects, and even take a step forward to promote this to other stakeholders, establishing a win-win situation, “We would explain to contractor the benefits of utilising BIM such as saving time, cost and enhancing safety etc, they are then very willing to join hands with us, as both can enjoy various advantages.” The building of the trellis roof maintained smooth and time efficient, credit must be given to the adoption of BIM. Not only does it helps visualise the design, but also play a vital role in its installation. Benny LEE adds that the whole project has gone hand in hand with the utilisation of BIM, from design, production to installation. The team will update on-site measurement data into the BIM model, allowing factory to produce in reliance to the most accurate measurement. The team has also input the installation notes into computer in advance which significantly simplifies the process and reduces the number of construction workers required on-site, enhancing site safety.
Ir Thomas HO expresses his appreciation towards the construction project of GREEN@WAN CHAI that substantially enjoy the benefit brought by Digital Twin and Design for Safety. Construction process is forecasted as early as from design stage, taking risk into consideration from start. With the smart adoption of DfMA and the concept of MiC, speed and efficiency of the project is enhanced, it even improves the productivity and sustainability. This construction project applies the digitalised and advanced construction technology that the CIC has been promoting to the industry, which is an exemplification that leads the industry to move forward.
The CIC upholds its mission for an innovation and digitalisation transformation within the construction industry, by being the implementation partner of Construction Innovation and Technology Fund (CITF) established by the Hong Kong Government, it provides support for industry stakeholders to break through limits and take proactive measures for an innovative reform. Ir Edwin TONG Ka-hung, Member of the CIC and Chairperson of the Management Committee on CITF encourages more leaders in the industry to apply for the fund, CITF will bear a maximum ratio of 80% of the total cost of an approved project, so as to inspire the construction industry for more innovative ideas that promotes the application of innovative and digital technology.
